A Butcher Block Countertop or Island Top Will Bring Nature Indoors

Butcher block island tops and countertops typically signal that the homeowner loves nature and the warmth that wood imparts to kitchens. They can also indicate that the chief cook in the household plays an active role in meal preparation - cutting, slicing, dicing and chopping on wood counters. Avid bakers especially appreciate butcher block countertops since it’s impossible to find a better surface on which to knead, roll and cut dough.

Choose a Standard-Size Boos Butcher Block Countertop in Maple, Walnut, Cherry or Oak

All four of these popular hardwood species are harvested from North American forests that are managed sustainably in order to preserve our natural resources. Hard Rock Maple is the most popular species of butcher block countertop. It’s the hardest of the four woods, plus its neutral colors - tan and light to medium browns - complement almost any kitchen’s décor. At the other end of the spectrum is American Black Walnut. Walnut is by far the darkest of your four options. While it boasts some tan and cream, medium to chocolate browns dominate. American Cherry skews a bit red, of course, revealing pink to reddish-brown hues, plus streaks of pale yellow. It starts out somewhat pale, but patinas over time. Appalachian Red Oak is characterized by richer, bolder browns compared to maple, plus hints of gold and pink and amber tones. You’ll want to consider hardness and cost, but it typically comes down to which species appeals to you and will fit nicely with your kitchen décor.

John Boos Butcher Block Counter Tops Come in Edge-Grain, End-Grain and Blended-Grain Styles

Edge-grain (aka vertical-grain or long-grain) countertops feature wood rails that run the full length of the counter and display the edges of boards sawn from tree trunks. Blended-grain counters are similar, but incorporate multiple wood rails or staves in each lengthwise span or stripe of the countertop, except for the outermost spans, which feature wood rails that run the full length of the island or counter. That’s why they’re also known as finger-jointed edge-grain blocks. Either style is perfectly suitable for baking and for preparing and serving meals, but if you intend to cut directly on the butcher block countertop, you should consider end-grain butcher block countertops instead. That’s because the surface of end-grain butcher block is the sawed ends of short wooden staves. These wood-fiber-rich surfaces are able to absorb sharp blades found on most kitchen knives, carvers and hatchets. In addition, end-grain is easier on knife blades, which should last longer and not dull as quickly.

Butcher Block Grain Styles

Choose a Natural Oil or Varnique Finish for Your Butcher Block Countertop

If you intend to cut directly on your butcher block counter or island top, you will need to select a finish of food-safe natural oil. Your counter or island top will come pre-coated with Boos Mystery Oil. You will need to regularly reapply a natural, food-safe oil in order to keep the wood moisturized and protected against drying and cracking. Also know it’s important that you clean up any spills promptly in order to prevent staining. It’s a small price to pay in exchange for the luxury of beautiful, durable and sustainable butcher block kitchen counters.

On the other hand, if you do not plan to cut directly on your butcher block counters, you have another option: a varnish-like finish that Boos & Co. calls Varnique. While counters coated with Varnique display a semi-gloss finish reminiscent of fine furniture and are low-maintenance, they are not intended to be cut upon since sharp blades can disturb the counter’s protective finish, leaving them susceptible to cracks and cuts into which unwanted moisture can seep and wreak havoc.

Boos Butcherblock Countertops Are Available in Both Standard and Custom Sizes

Each species of countertop comes in a number of different thicknesses and in standard widths and lengths. We make it easy for you to shop for standard-size countertops. Simply select a wood type and grain style and view all size options, or narrow the field by way of easy-to-use filters on the left side of this screen (larger screens only). Simply select those product types, materials, styles and sizes that might suit your needs.

If you can’t find a standard-size butcher block countertop that will fit the job at hand, you can quickly and easily generate an instant price quote on a made-to-order countertop or island top. Simply visit one of our Custom Countertop pages and specify a wood type, grain style, finish and dimensions to create a price quote. If you like what you see, you can add the item to your cart. If you need more time to think it over, just save the quote and email it to yourself.

On our custom countertop pages you’ll be able to quickly compare prices across different wood species and grain styles. Plus, you’ll see you can even select a non-standard profile (e.g., radius, bevel, bullnose, Roman Ogee) for the edges of your counter or island tops. If your needs are more complicated (e.g., mitered cuts or sink or stove cutouts), please click on Contact Us at the top of the page and in the Message box, tell us exactly what you’re looking for.

John Boos Manufactures Premium, Commercial and Industrial Butcher Block Countertops in the USA

Boos & Co. has been making butcher blocks for more than a century. Boos craftsmen leverage expertise accumulated over many decades to make butcher block counters and island tops of the highest quality. Boos Premium tops are best suited for residential kitchens. NSF Certified commercial tops can be found in restaurants nationwide. And industrial-grade countertops are perfect for garages, workshops and industrial applications.

BB Co. Offers Butcher Block Countertops Too – In 15 Species of Wood

BB Co. butcher block countertops and plank-style counter and island tops are other options you might want to consider. We offer them in Maple, Walnut, Cherry and Red Oak, plus Ash, Beech, Birch, Brazilian Cherry, Hickory, Knotty Alder, Knotty Pine, Mahogany, Poplar, Spanish Cedar and White Oak. Our tops are superior in craftsmanship and we can accommodate larger sizes and ship them unfinished, if you wish to finish them yourself. Plus, our lead times are shorter than those of Boos & Co.

See More John Boos Products

Return to Homepage